South Africa

South Africa has a population of 47.432 million and the largest number of HIV infections in the world. AIDS-related death rates are rising, with mortality among females aged 20 – 39 years more than tripling between 1997 and 2004.

The impact of HIV on people and communities is alarming. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the number of HIV patients they have to care for and schools are suffering due to fewer teachers as a result of the epidemic. In 2006 it was estimated that 21% of teachers in South Africa were living with HIV.

There has been increasing high level support in the response to HIV. A five year National Strategic Plan (2007 – 2011) has been developed with priority action areas in: treatment, care and support; human and legal rights; and monitoring and evaluation and surveillance. A network of South African cities and partners (South African Cities Network) was initiated by the Minister for Provincial and Local Government, nine city municipalities and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) with the principle purpose of encouraging the exchange of information, experience and best practices on urban development, city management and HIV/AIDS.

 

Total Population: 47,432,000 (2006)

Estimated number of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS (2006):
- Adults and children: 5,500,000
- Adults (15-49): 5,300,000, Adult rate: 18.8(%)
- Women (15-49): 3,100,000
- Children (0-14): 240,000

Estimated number of deaths due to AIDS (in 2006):
- 320,000

Estimated number of orphans (under the age of 17) (2006):
- Current living orphans: 1,200,000

South Africa National Chapter of the Alliance launched in November 2000

AMICAALL activities in South Africa are being implemented in collaboration with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). The UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme has facilitated consultative meetings with SALGA focused on planning and developing an AMICAALL Programme. In 2005, as part of development of the AMICAALL Programme, SALGA hosted a workshop for individuals directly involved in municipal HIV-related work. The workshop focused on local government approaches to HIV and AIDS in South Africa.

SALGA is also working to develop a Skills, Opportunities, Self-Reliance (SOS) youth development and training programme as part of the AMICAALL activities. This is being modeled after the SOS Programme currently being implemented by AMICAALL Namibia and technical partner, ORT IC. During 2006, a series of briefing sessions were held with SALGA, and its membership, as part of efforts to revitalize efforts to expand local government responses to HIV within the framework of AMICAALL. The South Africa Alliance Chapter Declaration on HIV/AIDS, which was issued by mayors in Durban in 2000, was endorsed again in June 2006, with a call for reviving efforts to more actively confront HIV throughout municipalities in South Africa.




Partnership and resource mobilisation activities have been initiated with USAID, SALGA, the South Africa Cities Network and United Cities and Local Governments of Africa.



SALGA Website (HIV and AIDS Section)

HIV/AIDS Manual for Muncipalities, Education & Training Unit

Working Together at the Local Level: Msunduzi Municipality- A "mini" Case Study, December 2005

Local Government & HIV and AIDS in South Africa: Report on Past, Present and Planned HIV and AIDS Activities and a Directory of Relevant Resources 1, Commissioned by the Department of Health, July 2003

South African Declaration on HIV/AIDS, November 2000

 

 



VACANT
South African Local Government Association
134 Pretorius Street
6th Floor Human Sciences Research Council Building
P.O. Box 2094
Pretoria 0001
SOUTH AFRICA

Tel.: (+27) 12 369 8000
Fax: (+27) 12 338 6747